Card game with auction function

ABSTRACT

A method of playing a card game by a number of players competing for a jackpot contributed by the players includes performing an auction phase. The auction phase includes the steps of revealing a face value of an auction card; auctioning the auction card; and (i) eliminating the auction card when none of the players makes a bid for the auction card, (ii) awarding the auction card to a player who makes a sole bid and requiring the player to pay the amount of the sole bid into the jackpot, or (iii) awarding the auction card to a player who makes a winning bid among a plurality of bids and requiring the player to pay the amount of the winning bid to a player having a second-most preferred bid. The step of auctioning the auction card includes a bidding period that is timed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional counterpart to and a claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 61/184,087 filed on Jun. 4, 2009, and which is pending and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to card games and to methods of playing card games. In particular, the invention relates card games having a poker card game emulation.

2. Discussion of the Background of the Invention

Poker is a group of card games played where a plurality of players attempts to win an amount of money or chips, i.e., the jackpot, contributed by the players themselves. The specific rules of poker vary by custom and geography.

In general, poker is divided into a series of hands, which begin when a predefined number of cards, typically, western playing cards, are randomly dealt to each player so that the other players are unable to see the value of the cards, i.e., face down.

After the initial deal, each player must make a bet in a predetermined sequence, usually left to right around the table. The first bettor can bet a predetermined minimum amount or raise and bet more than the predetermined minimum. Each subsequent bettor must match maximum previous bet or fold and lose all interest in the hand. The betting round ends when all players have either matched the last bet or folded. If all but one player folds on any round, the remaining player collects the jackpot without showing his hand. If more than one player remains in contention after the final betting round, the hands are shown and the winning hand takes the jackpot.

A hand may end at the showdown, in which case the remaining players compare their hands and the highest hand is awarded the jackpot; that highest hand is usually held by only one player, but can be held by more in the case of a tie. The other possibility for the conclusion of a hand is when all but one player have folded and have thereby abandoned any claim to the jackpot, in which case the jackpot is awarded to the player who has not folded.

However, traditional poker games fail to provide excitement and interest to certain players. Thus, a more interesting game and method of playing the game is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other needs are met in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention by a method of playing a card game by a number of players competing for a jackpot contributed by the players includes performing an auction phase. The auction phase includes the steps of revealing a face value of an auction card; auctioning the auction card; and (i) eliminating the auction card when none of the players makes a bid for the auction card, (ii) awarding the auction card to a player who makes a sole bid and requiring the player to pay the amount of the sole bid into the jackpot, or (iii) awarding the auction card to a player who makes a winning bid among a plurality of bids and requiring the player to pay the amount of the winning bid to a player having a second-most preferred bid. The step of auctioning the auction card includes a bidding period that is timed.

Therein the present invention is a method of playing an innovative game of chance that combines the game of poker (or its variations) with a timing device (whether manual, electric, electronic, software, etc.) which allows players to purchase cards by means of a special Auction where the bids do not normally increase the jackpot, but rather increase the money (or score) of another player in proportion to the amount of the bids.

The aim of the game is to accumulate the most money (real or virtual) or points possible; this may happen by winning the jackpot or through the ability to participate at the right moment in the auction that offers the possibility to purchase individual cards (the best tactic is a combination of both these strategies).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features will become more readily apparent from the detailed description taken in conjunction with the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the method of playing a card game in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the method of playing a card game of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the pre-play phase of the method of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the initial phase of the method of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the auction phase of the method of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the final phase of the method of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the post-play phase of the method of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, a method of playing a card game comprises certain steps of playing poker with a timed auction wherein players purchase cards by means of a timed auction where the bids do not increase the jackpot, but rather increase the money or score of another player in proportion to the amount of the bids.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the method of playing a card game in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the method of playing a card game of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the pre-play phase of the method of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the initial phase of the method of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the auction phase of the method of FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the final phase of the method of FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the post-play phase of the method of FIG. 2.

In a method 10 of playing a card game 2, a plurality of players 12, e.g., 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, etc. are provided a deck of cards 14 having a plurality of cards 15 and a timing device 20.

The plurality of players attempt to win a jackpot 22 that is a sum of money, points, or credits contributed by the players from their respective purses 30 in the course of game 2. One or more players 12 may be a computer or non-human player, while one or more other players 12 are human players.

Card game 2 comprises at least one hand 4, but typically comprises a plurality of hands 4, wherein each hand emulates a poker hand in combination with a timed auction.

Method 10 comprises a pre-play phase 100; a playing sequence of an initial phase 120, an auction phase 140, and a final phase 160; and a post-play phase 180 if more than one hand is played. A hand 4 comprises at least the playing sequence of phases 120, 140, and 160.

At least two players 12 are required to play card game 2. Preferably, the number of players 12 is limited to between four (4) to eight (8) players in the initial phase. While it is possible to play with fewer than four (4) players, this makes the game less interesting, especially during the auction phase, to be described below, because it is more likely that an auction card 16 a is not interesting for any or either player.

Deck 14 may be a deck of western playing cards, as illustrated herein, but may also be traditional cards having more or less cards or different types of cards than western playing cards. A deck of western cards, such as deck 14, includes 52 cards 15 divided into four (4) suites of 13 cards; e.g., suites: spades (“

”), hearts (“♡”), diamonds (“♦”), and clubs (“

”); and cards: numbered 2-10 inclusive (“2”, “3”, etc.), Jack (“J”), Queen (“Q”), King, (“K”) and Ace (“A”). Two jokers are optional, constituting the 53rd and 54th cards of deck 14 when so desired, and may substitute for any other card. However, deck 14 preferably does not include the jokers.

In addition to the players, a manager 16 may be present or one of the players may be designated to be a manager. Manager 16 may be a casino, a game organizer and/or any one else designated to manage or organize one or more card game 2 and/or one or more hands 4; manager 16 may comprise one or more persons or computers who may or may not be aware of each other. For example, manager 16 may be a table dealer as commonly found in a casino as well as the floor manager and any persons above or below any other person. Manager 16 may also be a regulatory or governmental agency or a group functioning in such a capacity or part of such a capacity.

Pre-play phase 100 proceeds at any time prior to initial phase 120. Therein, the players by consensus or fiat to determine certain administrative matters in one or more steps 102, e.g., steps 102 a et al. In alternative, manager 16 of the game or hand may undertake to make such decisions.

In a step 102 a, performed before, at the same time, or after any other step in this phase, one or more players 12 of the hand or game by consensus or fiat determine an initial amount 30 a that is a sum of money, credits, or points to which each player's purse 30 is limited.

In a step 102 b, performed before, at the same time, or after any other step in this phase, one or more players 12 of the hand or game by consensus or fiat determine an individual entry amount, i.e., ante, 30 b that is a sum of money, credits, or points that each player (regardless of who is the dealer) must ante in order to play hand 4. Therein, the total of each of the entry amounts 30 b is jackpot 20.

During a game and/or hand, purse 30 will comprise a liquidity 30 c that represents the value of a player's purse at that moment and may be equal to zero. Money, credits, or points may be limited throughout the game to a predetermined amount given to each player so that the players do not simply dispose of points as valueless.

In step 102 c, performed before, at the same time, or after any other step in this phase, one or more players 12 of the hand or game by consensus or fiat determine a playing order 17 order in which players 12 become a dealer 18, e.g., deal one or more hands 4. In the alternative, manager 16 may be designated to be the dealer 18.

In step 102 d, performed before, at the same time, or after any other step in this phase, one or more players 12 of the hand or game by consensus or fiat determine the type of poker to be emulated; for example, 5-draw poker, Texas Hold'em poker, or Omaha poker.

In step 102 e, performed before, at the same time, or after any other step in this phase, one or more players 12 of the hand or game by consensus or fiat determine a limit on the amount of the bets and/or the number of raises during the final phase.

Advantageously, imposing limits balances the game, and especially balances the importance of the auction phase and the final phase. Therein, preferably a maximum total bet, including raises, equal to the jackpot, for each player in the final phase is established. Alternatively, the maximum total bet no higher than 1.5 times the jackpot to favor bluffing.

In the absence of limits, there is the risk that movements of money in the auction phase will become irrelevant for the game results or, on the contrary, that too many players will concentrate on parasitic tactics during the auction and give up on betting during the final phase, depending on the type of players at the table.

In an Example A, a card game 2 includes four players, e.g., players 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, and 12 d. Manager 16 has decided that ante 20 b is 100 credits resulting in jackpot 20 of 400 credits.

In initial phase 120, in step 122, dealer 18 deals a predetermined number of cards 15 to each player 12 in keeping with the kind of poker is determined. Thus, for example in Example A, if standard 5-draw poker game is to be emulated, each player 12 in hand 4 will be dealt by the dealer randomly five (5) cards 15, e.g., dealt cards 15 a, face down so that the cards are visible only to the player who receives them. In Texas Hold'em poker, each player in hand 4 will be dealt by the dealer randomly two (2) cards 15, e.g., dealt cards 15 a, face down so that the cards are visible only to the player who receives them and another five (5) cards are dealt randomly face up to a common pot for all players to see. In Omaha poker, each player in hand 4 will be dealt by the dealer randomly four (4) cards 15, e.g., dealt cards 15 a, and another five (5) cards are dealt randomly face up to a common pot for all players to see.

In this application, visible means that the face value of the card is revealed, and invisible means that the face value of the card is not revealed.

In a step 124, each of the players ante up by contributing amount 30 b.

Subsequently, cards 15 of deck 14 that have not been dealt, i.e., undealt cards 15 b, are partially eliminated, i.e., eliminated cards 15 c, immediately from the game without the players seeing them in a step 126 a and 126 b. The remaining undealt cards 15 b are to be auctioned off, i.e., auction cards 15 d, in auction phase 140.

The number of cards 15 c to be eliminated is determined in step 126 a according to the difference between the number of cards in the deck and the sum of the number of cards dealt 15 a and the number of auction cards 15 d to be auctioned. The cards to be auctioned may be provided as listed in Table 1. In step 126 b, eliminated cards 15 c are eliminated.

TABLE 1 Number of Cards to be Auctioned Number of Players Cards to be Auctioned 2, 3, or 4 8 5 9 6 10 7 11 8 12

Thus, in Example A, a deck having 52 cards wherein four players are dealt 5 cards each and 8 cards are to be auctioned will require 24 cards to be eliminated.

In auction phase 140, in step 142, the cards that were not eliminated from the game, cards 15 d, and not dealt to the players are made visible in a step 142 by dealer 18 and auctioned off one by one in a step 144 by dealer 18. Therein, auctioning means that when card 15 d is made visible a bidding period starts for each player, wherein each player has a set period of time, preferably from 3-5 seconds as measured by timing device 20, to make his bid to buy the card.

If no bids are made in the within the time set, in step 144 a the card is “burnt,” i.e. is eliminated from the game without ever being seen by the players again.

If a player makes a bid within the established time, the same amount of time is allowed for all players for a new and higher bid in a subsequent step 144 b; this continues in an auction fashion. If a second bid is not made, the card is awarded to the sole bidder in a step 146 a, who must pay the amount bid into the jackpot, thereby increasing the jackpot in a step 148 a.

If two or more bids are made, the card is awarded to the highest bidder in a step 146 b, who pays the amount bid for the card to another bidder having the second-most preferred bid in a step 148 b. The second-most preferred bid herein, preferably means that it is the second-highest bid, but may also mean another type of bid that is less preferred than the winning bid but more preferred than all other bids but the winning bid.

In an Example B, unrelated to other examples, a player 12 a bids ten points for an auction card 15 e and players 12 b, 12 c, and 12 d do not make a bid. Thus, player 12 a pays ten points into the jackpot.

In an Example C, unrelated to other examples, a player 12 a bids 20 points, a player 12 b bids 30 points, a player 12 c bids 40 points. Thus, player 12 c pays 40 points to player 12 b.

What the player who is awarded the auction card does with the auction card depends on the version of poker that is being emulated. In 5-draw poker, the player who wins the card can decide, within the maximum period of time established, preferably from 20 to 30 seconds, if he wants to keep it or “burn it,” e.g., eliminate the card, in a step 150, i.e., step 150 a. If the player keeps the card, the card will substitute one of the cards he already holds at the player's discretion and remains visible to all the players for the entire hand unless it is eliminated later when substituted by a newly purchased card.

If Texas Hold 'em poker is emulated, method 10 preferably includes a step wherein the auctioned card or cards do not substitute for one of the two cards dealt face down to the player who won the bid. Otherwise, in the final phase, all or all except one of the cards available for that player could be visible to the other players.

If Omaha poker is emulated, method 10 preferably includes a step wherein when one player makes multiple winning bids, the third and subsequent auctioned card cannot substitute one of the cards dealt face down to the player who won the bid.

In the alternative, method 10 may comprise the following extra steps. At least two dealt cards 15 a are visible only to the player to whom cards 15 a were dealt and must remain hidden from all other players until the end of the hand. Thus, when it is not possible to substitute a face-down card, the auctioned card, because the auctioned card must remain visible to all players either substitutes a face-up card if existing or is added to the cards dealt to the player who won the bid, at the discretion of the player who won the bid. The winning hand is made using only five cards among those available to the player, using cards dealt to the player, cards common for all players if so existing, cards awarded in the auction. Therein, it depends on the variation of poker that is being played how many personal cards and how many common cards have to be used. Moreover, in the initial phase, all the cards are dealt in that type of poker are appropriately dealt, i.e., cards that are face up or face down are dealt to the player and, if existing, cards common to all players.

In method 10, the manager 16 has the right to determine the number of cards to be auctioned according to the poker that is being emulated and according to the importance he wants to give to the auction phase. Indeed, if there is or not a round of betting before the auction phase; a round of betting is preferably conducted when there are cards visible to all players when playing Texas Hold'em, Omaha, or Stud poker. To provide for a livelier and more interesting hand, the manager preferably has the authority to alter the number of cards that a player who has won the auction has to hide from other players until the end of the hand.

If the player who won the card decides to eliminate it, the card won in the auction is eliminated from the game in a step 150, e.g., step 150 a and can no longer be seen by the players. If the player does not choose within the maximum time allowed in step 150 a to eliminate the card, the card won is automatically eliminated in step 150 b.

Steps 142-150 are repeated until all cards 15 d are auctioned off.

In auction phase 140, each player is limited to an amount that is the sum of the total sum no greater than the jackpot for purchasing cards plus, if applicable, any sums that player received for being the second most preferred bidder, such as being the second highest bidder.

Preferably, during auction phase 140, each player is limited to initial amount 30 a equal to the jackpot 20 in purse 30 or to his residue liquidity when the player's liquidity 30 c is less than the jackpot. Liquidity 30 c is increased only when the player is the second most preferred bidder, such as being the second highest bidder, for a card being auctioned off.

Once purse 30 of a player has a liquidity 30 c equal to zero, that player can no longer make any bids to purchase cards. Likewise, a player cannot make bids higher than liquidity 30 c in that player's purse 30.

Advantageously, the limit on the amount that can be spent during the auction phase immediately obstructs tactics, even if irrational, of hoarding, at any cost, of unbeatable hands, which dampen all interest in the final phase. This encourages players who adopt parasitic tactics to participate in the auction for speculative purposes and also encourages players who aim to win the jackpot but who need more cards to attain a winning hand because they need greater liquidity for acquiring cards.

Final phase 160 begins when there are no cards 15 d left to be auctioned. Then, in a step 162, the player who has the highest score, based only on the visible cards, may declare that he wants to play for the jackpot as it is, i.e., “check,” in a step 162 a or may make his own bet in a step 162 b.

If the player who has the highest score has declared he wants to check in step 162 a, the next player in a clockwise rotation may second the check in a step 164 a or may decide to make a bet in a step 164 b.

If the second player has decided to make a bet in a step 164 b, the next player in the clockwise rotation may raise the bet in a step 166 b, call the first player's bet by matching the first player's bet in a step 166 c, or abandon the hand, i.e., “fold” in a step 166 d. If the second player has decided to declare check in step 164 a, the third player may declare check in step 166 a, or undertake steps 166 b, 166 c, or 166 d. Subsequent players in the clockwise rotation will then be called in order to choose one of steps 166 a, 166 b, 166 c or 166 d until rotation 17 returns to the first player, i.e., the player who has the highest score.

During final phase 160, no player is allowed to raise an adversary who has bet all his remaining liquidity, i.e., liquidity 30 c. If the bet of one or more players exceeds the liquidity 30 c of a player that, due to his position at the table, must still speak, the player who has insufficient funds must choose between two alternatives. The player can fold in accordance with step 166 d and in this case the other players' bets will remain valid; otherwise, the player with insufficient funds will have to bet all his remaining funds, i.e., liquidity 30 c, in step 166 c, and the other players will be obliged to reduce their bets to match his betting amount in a step 168.

Therein jackpot 20 is won in a step 170 by the player whose last bet, e.g., the initial bet, if it has not been raised, or last raise, has not been matched by another player, e.g., all the other players have abandoned the game, or the player with the highest score between the one who made the initial bet but was not followed by raises or the last raise and all those who “called” or matched his bet, in the case of no raises, or matched overall amount from the last raise. If all the players have declared they want to check, the hand with the highest score wins according to the below hierarchical hands.

If a player uses the entirety of his liquidity 30 c during the auction phase, the player is obliged to participate in the final phase and the other players cannot bet any amount, e.g., all players must check. If the player does not win the final phase, he is eliminated from the game as disclosed further below.

Advantageously, having a player with a liquidity 30 c of zero strongly influences the freedom and expectations of the other players, but also creates greater interest in the auction since players who aspire to win the jackpot must also consider the possibility of “enriching” a nearly bankrupt player by systematically raising the nearly bankrupt player's bids in order to win a potentially richer jackpot.

Similarly, also step 168 influences the freedom of the others players and could disturb the flow of the game. Steps may be taken to mitigate such effect. For example, the player making an “all in” bet less than his adversaries if he wins, cannot receive an amount greater than his bet from each adversary.

In post-play phase 180, a player whose liquidity 30 c is zero during the final phase is eliminated from the game in a step 182 a prior to playing another hand. Likewise, a player who has a liquidity 30 c of less than the sum required to ante up in a subsequent for the next hand is eliminated from the game in a step 182 b.

Herein, the manager of the game may end the game by cancelling subsequent hands when the surviving players, i.e., players who have not been eliminated, are below a preferred number of players, e.g., 2 or 3. Thus, the player who, at that moment, has the greatest liquidity 30 c is then the winner of the game and receives the eventual awards established by the manager.

In post-play phase 180, the players and/or the manager of the game may make changes change, e.g., reduce, the ratio between the amount available for acquisitions during the auction phase and the stakes. For example, in the case of two players, he may decide that the spending limits on the auction will not exceed half of the jackpot.

The post-play phase 180 may be followed by another game 2 or hand 4.

Card game 2 is suitable for tournaments, wherein successive levels depending on the liquidity of the players at any given moment and/or eventually increasing the ante amount during the course of the tournament to force players to quit and, if the final objective is to arrive at a one-on-one final, changing the amount that can be used during the auction in relation to the jackpot. In general, in the form of “cash game,” as well as obviously in the form of a tournament with winnings and losses set according to the classification of the tournament, this game tends to limit the losses of less talented or unlucky players, allowing them to vary their survival strategies. The game manager can always vary the amount to play each hand in order to obtain the desired effects.

The hierarchy of hands, in decreasing order, are straight flush, poker (four-of-a-kind), full house, flush, straight, three-of-a-kind, two pairs, pair, and high card.

A straight flush consists of five contiguous cards of the same suit, for example: 8-9-10-J-Q, all diamonds. The highest straight possible is 10-J-Q-K-A. The lowest straight has the Ace as the lowest card; for example, in the case of a 52-card deck (where the lowest card would be the 2): A-2-3-4-5.

When comparing straight flushes, the hand with the highest top card wins, but the lowest straight wins over the highest straight (while it loses to all the others). When comparing straight flushes with the same high card, the winning hand depends on the suit, for which there is a decreasing order of hearts-diamonds-clubs-spades.

A poker (Four-of-a-kind) consists of four of the same card, for example: J-J-J-J. When comparing pokers, the hand holding the card with the highest value wins.

A full house consists of three-of-a-kind and a pair; for example: Q-Q-Q-10-10. When comparing full houses, the hand with the highest three-of-a-kind wins, for example, J-J-J-9-9 wins over 10-10-10-A-A.

A flush consists of five cards of the same suit, but not in contiguous order, for example, 8-9-J-Q-K, all spades. When comparing flushes, the winning hand depends on the suit, for which there is a decreasing order of hearts-diamonds-clubs-spades. When comparing two flushes of the same suit, the flush with the highest card wins.

A straight consists of five contiguous cards, but not alof the same suit. The highest straight possible is 10-J-Q-K-A. The lowest straight uses the Ace as the lowest card; an example when playing with a 52-card deck would be: A-2-3-4-5. When comparing straights, the hand with the highest top card wins. In contrast to straight flushes, the lowest straight never wins over the highest straight (and therefore loses to all other straights). When comparing straights with the same high card, the winning hand depends on the suit, for which there is a decreasing order of hearts-diamonds-clubs-spades.

A three-of-a-kind consists of three of the same cards, for example: A-A-A. When comparing three-of-a-kinds, the card with the highest value wins.

A two pairs consists of two pairs of cards, for example: A-A-9-9. When comparing hands with two pairs, the pair of cards with the highest value wins, for example, A-A-5-5 wins over K-K-Q-Q. If the pairs with the highest value are the same, the second pair with the highest value wins: for example, K-K-10-10 wins over K-K-8-8.

If the two pairs are identical, the hand in which the pair with the highest value contains the hearts wins.

A pair consists of two of the same card, for example, for example: Q-Q. When comparing pairs, the pair with the card of the highest value wins; for example 10-10 wins over 7-7. When comparing pairs of equal value, the pair containing the hearts wins.

If none of the players has attained any of the previous hands, the player with the highest card in his hand wins. For example, A-4-6-8-9 wins over K-Q-J-9-8. If the card with the highest value is identical, the card with the highest value according to the hierarchy of suits wins, always in the decreasing order of hearts-diamonds-clubs-spades.

Herein, the hierarchy explained above may be varied to make it correspond to that used in variations of poker more common in the place where the game is being played, thereby satisfying the tastes and habits of local players. For example, the game manager may impose the classic rule by which equivalent hands, for example, flushes, two pairs the same, are decided by the highest card present in the flush or by the fifth card in the case of a comparison between two pairs. This would make the game slightly less readable, because winning would depend more on the adversary's invisible cards, while assigning the hierarchy according to the suit makes the value of the cards up for auction more explicit, resulting in a more heated auction. A greater readability of the game attained through the hierarchy of hands is therefore generally considered an advantage, given that making the game less readable can be easily attained by reducing the number of cards put up for auction.

However, preferably, there is always a hierarchy for comparing the hands so as to avoid having to split the winnings among more than one winner: this contributes to maintaining the importance of the auction and clarifies the maximum value of the cards put up for auction.

Advantageously, the most important feature of this game, in addition to the enjoyment typical of games of chance, is the speed and the rhythm: the game obliges the player to change his strategy quickly and several times during a hand, with the risk of losing control over how much he is spending or the risk of spending during auctions for a single card in comparison to the actual amount staked.

For this reason, players preferably must have, naturally in addition to a minimum of luck, good memory because various cards are made visible, psychological introspection to “read” the strategies of the other players, and quick decision-making and calculation skills.

At least four different versions of the game, all characterized by different complexities of the timing device, are possible. In increasing order of complexity: Table game version, Casino version (with croupier), Casino or public establishment videogame version and Network version (ex: internet).

Therein, the essential function of the timing device, which must be present in all the versions, is the capacity to allow a set period of time, preferably 3-5 seconds, to bid on individual cards, excluding bids made beyond the time limit and chronologically ordering the bids made, so that when the auction for a single card ends (because no other bids have arrived within the set time period), all the players can immediately and visually understand which player made the highest bid and which player made the next to the last bid (second most preferred bidder). If only one bid is made, it must obviously be visually clear to all the players that only one bid was made and who made it.

The timing device is preferably adjustable in order to allow the manager of the game to vary the time limit set. If he extends the time limit, the game tends to favour the rational, calculating, and introspective components; if he reduces the time limit, the game moves faster and takes on a more instinctive connotation.

The timing device preferably allows an automatic calculation concerning the overall betting limits, above all during the auction phase and in the final phase, thereby automatically preventing the player from bidding a sum greater than liquidity 30 c at the auction, for example.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, game 2 preferably balances luck and skill, e.g., mnemonic, mathematical, and psychological introspection. Therein, one or more variations are possible. For example, it may be possible to introduce a number of cards to be visualized from the dealing of the cards.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, method 10 may include varying the number of cards dealt, or those visible only to the player who has received them, and introduce cards common to all the players.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, method 10 may include keeping the “burnt” cards visible for the entire duration of the game.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, method 10 may institute an auction with “one-off” bids, e.g., no raising, and/or with a secret bidding procedure.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, method 10 may change the rule for attributing the amount won at the end of the auction. For example, attributing the amount to the fastest player at opening the auction or at raising, or purely randomly.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, method 10 may always add the amount bid to the ante or use the bids for a jackpot to be won at the end in relation to the points attained by the winning player.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, method 10 may require that the amount of players' bids can be deposited in the jackpot even if the player did not win the card.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention when it is decided to play with fewer than 52 cards, preferably the lowest cards (the 2, then 3, etc.) are eliminated first. Advantageously, these advisable values concerning the number of cards to be used and, later, the number of cards to be auctioned determine a balanced proportion among the various hands that the player can attain (for example and in particular, full house, flush, or straight) coherent with the hierarchy of the same and with the probability of reaching them, so that there is no hand that, due to probability and hierarchy, becomes an essentially obligatory objective for all the players, being the one that would guarantee the winning of nearly all the hands (in other words, of the individual games). Even the potential existence, however, of imbalances in favor of a particular hand, if on one side may make the game more routine and less interesting from certain points of view, on the other it may be compensated for by the greater “readability” of the adversaries' game, resulting in a more combative auction phase, as described below.

By using fewer cards than the standard 52 cards in a deck while maintaining the same number of cards that are auctioned, higher hands (especially poker and full) can be attained by all players. For example, with 4 players using a deck of 44 cards and putting 8 up for auction, more full houses can be had and poker will not be a rare occurrence.

The effect can be reduced or annulled by cutting the number of cards put up for auction: in the example, reducing them to 6 or fewer.

In fact, there are different points of balance, obtained by associating a number of cards that make up the deck and a number of cards to be auctioned off, which produce similar effects on the level of hands players may attain. For example, with 4 players, playing with a deck of 44 cards and putting 8 up for auction is essentially equivalent, in relation to the hands normally attainable, to playing with 48 cards and putting 9 up for auction, or with 40 cards with 7 up for auction.

Preferably, the entire deck of 52 cards is used, because it would, in any case, be necessary to have a maneuvering margin on the number of cards to be auctioned off in the case of 8 players, and to avoid a full house from having too great an advantage over the flush. With 52 cards, the probability of obtaining a full house is not much lower than the probability of attaining a flush, and the gap is further reduced by cutting the number of cards in the deck (to the point of being null and inverted); considering that with 52 cards the full house must win over the flush, reducing the number of cards in the deck from 52 to -for example-44, the players will be obliged to give up hopes for a flush, given that with all probability, at least one adversary will counter with a full house. Unless an excessive number of cards is auctioned off (which would make it easy to attain even pokers and straight flushes), the full house will then become a normally winning hand to be sought by all the players.

Furthermore, a full house has two more advantages over the flush: it can often be attained by acquiring only two cards (it would suffice to have a pair in the five cards dealt, which is quite common, and in any case more common than having three cards of the same suit), and it is an easier hand to hide, because the two cards have no apparent relationship between them (while the attempt to acquire a second card of the same suit would immediately alarm the other players and cause their opposition during the auction).

Preferably, greater readability of the game can make the auction more interesting (all the players know that their adversaries are seeking a full house, and will therefore seek to obstruct him from acquiring a second card, whatever it may be), but the effect is partial, because there is no certainty about which full house the adversaries are seeking (and it is therefore difficult to distinguish the sincere interest in acquiring a card from merely participating in the auction for speculative purposes. So it may happen that the hand is attained with the acquisition of a card other than those that had found greater opposition on behalf of the adversaries). Using a full deck of 52 cards, therefore, guarantees a chance at a flush and to the players who try to attain it, thereby preventing an important and somewhat readable hand that tends to “fuel” the auction from essentially being excluded from the game.

Preferably, a small number of players is avoided. With two players, in general, the card game changes considerably. The players become encouraged to act more cautiously in that the player who pays more for the first cards, when there is a limit to the overall purchase price, would be helpless when compared to his adversary because he would have much less liquidity to purchase the remaining cards. This would allow his adversary to buy, and at reduced prices, all the cards that truly interest him.

Therein, the relationship between the auction phase and the final phase considerably in that the movement of money (or points) during the auction phase tend to exceed the winning of the ante: it is in fact probable that a player, as soon as he realizes he cannot attain a winning hand, will adopt a parasitic tactic and immediately give up betting in the final phase, by which the player aspiring to win will not find an adversary willing to raise the stakes. This effect, to a lesser extent, may also occur in the case of 3 players. In brief, players tend to weigh the pros and cons, and calculation skills and rationality tend to be rewarded.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. 

1. A method of playing a card game by a plurality of players competing for a jackpot contributed by the players, the method comprising the steps of: performing an auction phase, the auction phase comprising the steps of (a) revealing a face value of an auction card; (b) auctioning the auction card; and (c) (i) eliminating the auction card when none of the players makes a bid for the auction card, (ii) awarding the auction card to a player who makes a sole bid and requiring the player to pay the amount of the sole bid into the jackpot, or (iii) awarding the auction card to a player who makes a winning bid among a plurality of bids and requiring the player to pay the amount of the winning bid to a player having a second-most preferred bid.
 2. The method of playing a card game of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises a bidding period that is timed.
 3. The method of playing a card game of claim 2, wherein the bidding period comprises a range from 3 to 5 seconds.
 4. The method of playing a card game of claim 1, further comprising the step of choosing whether to eliminate the auction card from play by the player who has been awarded the auction card.
 5. The method of playing a card game of claim 4, wherein when the player who has been awarded the auction card does not make a choice, the auction is eliminated from play.
 6. The method of playing a card game of claim 1, wherein steps (a), (b), and (c) are performed for a plurality of auction cards.
 7. The method of playing a card game of claim 6, wherein the plurality of auction cards comprise eight cards when the plurality of players is four or fewer players.
 8. The method of playing a card game of claim 6, wherein the plurality of auction cards comprise ten cards when the plurality of players is six players.
 9. The method of playing a card game of claim 1, wherein when in step (b) a first bid is made in a first bidding period, a second bidding period is permitted.
 10. The method of playing a card game of claim 1, further comprising the step (d) of limiting the liquidity a player can use during the auction phase, increasing that amount only by paying him the amount of the winning bid when he has made the second-most preferred bid in step (c)(iii).
 11. The method of playing a card game of claim 1, further comprising the step of substituting the auction card by the player who makes the winning bid for a card held by the player who makes the winning bid.
 12. The method of playing a card game of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: prior to step (a) performing a step of dealing a plurality of cards to each of the plurality of players; after step (c) performing, in sequence, a first step of increasing declaring check, making a wager, raising a wager, or folding and performing a second step of awarding the jackpot.
 13. The method of playing a card game of claim 12, wherein the steps beginning with the step prior to step (a) and ending with the second step after step (c) comprise playing a hand.
 14. A method of playing a card game, the method comprising the steps of: (a) dealing a plurality of cards to a plurality of players; (b) anteing up into a jackpot by each of the plurality of players to make a first wager; (c) auctioning a pre-determined number of auction cards in sequence; (d) (i) eliminating a respective one of the auction cards when none of the players makes a bid for the auction card, (ii) awarding respective one of the auction cards to a player who makes a sole bid and requiring the player to pay the amount of the sole bid into the jackpot, or (iii) awarding respective one of the auction cards to a player who makes a winning bid among a plurality of bids and requiring the player to pay the amount of the winning bid to a player having a second-most preferred bid.
 15. The method of playing a card game of claim 14, wherein each player may increase their wager in a step subsequent to step (d).
 16. The method of playing a card game of claim 15, wherein each player increased wager is limited to the maximum funds of a player having the least funds but more than zero funds.
 17. The method of playing a card game of claim 14, wherein step (c) comprises a bidding period for each of the auction cards that is timed.
 18. The method of playing a card game of claim 14, further comprising a step of eliminating a player who has depleted his funds.
 19. A method of playing a card game, the card game comprising a plurality of players competing for a jackpot contributed by the players, the method comprising the steps of: (a) auctioning a card to the players; and (b) (i) eliminating a respective one of the auction cards when none of the players makes a bid for the auction card, (ii) awarding respective one of the auction cards to a player who makes a sole bid and requiring the player to pay the amount of the sole bid into the jackpot, or (iii) awarding respective one of the auction cards to a player who makes a winning bid among a plurality of bids and requiring the player to pay the amount of the winning bid to a player having a second-most preferred bid.
 20. The method of playing a card game of claim 19, wherein step (a) comprises a bidding period for each of the auction cards that is timed. 